Thursday 5 June 2008

Looking Up

Ornate features like this one are just waiting to be seen. The problem is that most of the detail on buildings is above eye level, and my problem is I never look up. Until now. Taking my lead from other CDPB, I looked skywards and saw all sorts of interesting things. This narrow bay window is up on the side of the building used by HSBC bank. The building dates from 1890 and is on the Colonnade, at the top of the Promenade. The building is awash with relief carvings and balustrades, its a fine example of the architecture of the time.

For those that are interested the motto underneath the window, Cum Prudentia Sedulus, means Diligent With Prudence.

(I know I've shown pigeons several times before, but the ones in this photo are an added bonus!)

12 comments:

Hilda said...

I love old buildings and this bay window is lovely! The motto fits a bank too, seems made just for them in fact.

Jim Klenke said...

The window look neat. Great detail.

• Eliane • said...

"Cum Prudentia Sedulus" is a very good motto for a bank! You'll have to figure out the blason.
Lovely window!

Gerald (SK14) said...

it is amazing what you find when you look up.

Stevenson Q said...

Marley, you're right! I should look up sometimes to see more and more interesting subjects! This one is so great! The designs and accents are so royal and regal!

Thanks for the Birthday greeting! You do know what kind of person i am! All you said about the happy person are true. I'm delighted that my personality shows even here on this blog! Thanks so much!

Bergson said...

Beuatiful windows
is's a castle ?

Lori said...

I didn't even notice the pigeons until you pointed them out. There are a lot of beautiful details in your photo. It's true we miss so much by not looking up!

magiceye said...

that is very impressive

Chuck Pefley said...

Yeah, worms and birds have the best views around :)

Anonymous said...

Glasgow is a great place for looking up. When I started travelling on the top deck of the bus I noticed all sorts of things I'd never known were there before.

I'm not sure I'd call the pigeons a bonus though ...! (rats with wings!)

brian stout said...

it's cool how much time and care they took in building these structures to last back then... i partially knew the latin (even though its been years since i took it), but wouldn't have guessed the sedulus word =)

Petrea Burchard said...

Oh, this is a beauty, Marley! Details like this are among my favorite things.

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